Co Roscommon man, one of Ireland's oldest citizens, dies at 107

Michael Coyne, an Irish man who celebrated his 107th birthday in style earlier this year, passed away today, Tuesday, May 21. “My Godfather Michael Coyne passed away this morning Tuesday in his 107th year,” Coyne’s godson Austin Waldron said in a post on social media on May 21, adding that arrangements would be confirmed later.

“It’ s very sad but he enjoyed life until the very end," Waldron told The Irish Times on Tuesday. "We were already looking forward to the next birthday party."

Coyne had been living in Boyle, Co Roscommon for a number of years with his nephew and carer Neil McGarry.

“He had a great life and thanks to Neil he was able to live at home," Waldron said.

"He was very independent." Waldron added: “He loved people and he enjoyed a glass of Guinness followed by a Jameson chaser. He was absolutely brilliant. He was driving until he was 98 and his license was in date until he was 100." Waldron teased that his godfather lived so long because he never got married. Coyne was an active GAA supporter, regularly attended Mass, and continued to read the newspaper into his old age.

In the 1950s, Coyne worked on the construction of the Bellacorick power station in Co Mayo.

Less than two weeks before his death, the Roscommon Herald reported that Coyne was "delighted" to see his name recorded in PJ Lynn's new book "Powering the West, A History of Bord na Móna and ESB in North Mayo" as one of the workers employed in the construction. In January, Coyne celebrated his 107th birthday in style in Co Roscommon where he returned to his native Castlerea for mass at the Church of the Sacred Heart, the same church he was baptized in more than a century ago.

He then enjoyed lunch and a well-earned pint of Guinness in Hester's Golden Eagle Bar and Restaurant in Castlerea.

Aft erward, Hester's Golden Eagle Bar shared this sweet video of the impressive Irish man reciting a poem:

A Massive Happy 107th Birthday

to Michael Coyne who celebrated it here with us today, mighty Man

Posted by Hesters Golden Eagle Bar & Restaurant on Sunday, January 14, 2024

As is only right, Coyne's previous birthdays were also marked with great celebrations.

For his 106th birthday, Coyne was in Co Leitrim where he was joined by his family and friends at Cryan’s Hotel, followed by a visit to the Carrick-on-Shannon golf club.

The birthday boy, who celebrated with a bowl of soup and a “half one of Jameson with a dash of lime," was treated "like a celebrity" during the festivities, his family said.

Also sending birthday wishes was President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins, who has been in touch every year since Coyne turned 100, at which time he received the Centenarian Bounty of €2,540.